Isnect-destroyer.



L mma ai; H. WALLACE; lmsm vs snovsn. APPLICATION FILED APR. I3.. ISI?.

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@Nidi STATES PATENT @Fldlitlm LUTHER PATTON AND HENRY B. WALLACE, 0F BLOCTON, ALABAMA; SAID WALLACE ASSIGNOR T0 SAID PATTON.

1N SECT-DESTROYER.

Application led April 13, 1917.

To all whom zt may concern.'

Be it known that we, LUTHER PA'rToN and HENRY B. l/VALLACE citizens of the United States of America, residing at Blocton, in the county of Bibb and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Insect-Destroyers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for dislodging, catching and destroying weevils or other insects that are injurious to vegetation, my invention being particularly adapted for use in protecting cotton plants from boll weevils, potato plants from bugs and other plants from worms or insects.

One object of this invention is to produce an apparatus that is light and comparatively inexpensive and is adapted to be drawn by horses and readily controlled but which may also be adapted to be operated by hand.

A further object of this invention is to design a novel means for engaging the plants and shaking them so as to efleetually dislodge the weevils, bugs or insects tl1erefrom and cause them to fall into trays carried by the apparatus and disposed to travel under the plants on each side ot a row.

A further object of this invention is to design the plant shaking means so that it can be readily moved into or out of operating position and to adapt the lower shaker fingers to have vertical adjustment so that they can rise and fall vertically then engaged by the trays which are free to rise so they can follow the irregularities of the ground and plants.

A further object of this invention is to design the frame work with a draft appliance adapted to control the front or guiding wheels so as to make the machine directly responsive to guidance which is essential to protect the plants from injury by being` struck by the trays which are formed of foldable sections so that they will yield suliiciently to protect the plant.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction, a'nd in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter' more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying j drawings forming part` of this specification Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb.. l2, i918.. serial No. 161,830.

wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and in which:-

Figure l illustrates a view in elevation or' the end of the apparatus embodying the lnvention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 illustrates an end view with the parts in different position of adjustment.

Fig. 4l illustrates a top plan View of the combined apron and tray.

Fig. 5 illustrates a view in elevation showing the beaters and the post from which the beaters are suspended.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the hinged shaker lingers.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the pivoted finger post and the spring means for holding the same in operating position.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line A-B of Fig. 2.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, I show a suitable frame-work comprisingl on each side a rectangular frame comprisingr vfront and rear uprights l and 2, respectively, connected overhead by a top bar 3 and connected at their bottom by a bar 4 which extends substantially beyond the rear uji-ight 2. The two side frames thus formed are connected together by overhead bars 5, the front bar connecting` the tops of the uprights l and the rearbar connecting the tops of the uprights 2. Suitable angles plates G and braces 7 are provided to brace the joints.

Immediately in the rear of each upright 1 is a-post 8 provided with pivots 9 which turn in sockets 10 in the upper and lower bars 3 and 4 of each frame. Each post carries a screw eye 11 to which is connected a coil spring 12 adapted at its other end to be detachably connected to a bracket lltl on the adjacent front upright l. Each post 8 forms a support for a plurality of beaters or shaker fingers 13, each of which is connected and supported by a flat spring plate 14; disposed in a vertical plane and attached at one end to a side face of its respective post 8 by means of screws, bolts or the like.

cal row on each side of the frame at the front end thereof. They are vdisposed in a p.

proximately horizontal position. but are yieldable, so that when they come 1n Contact with the stalk or branches of a plant, the springs bend and as the shaker lingers are drawn through the branches they snap forward striking other branches and thus shaking the plants so yas to effectively dislodge the insects, worms or eggs without, however, damaging the plants.

While we have referred to insects and worms heretofore in this specification. it is to be understood that this apparatus is intended to be used for the dislodgment and collection of weevil flies, sharpshooters, boll weevils, punctured squares, worms and the like and in using the comprehensive term,

' it is to be understood that we include therein all vegetation destroyers which occupy or inhabit the plants or branches above the ground.

The posts 8 are capable, when springs 12 are disengaged from the brackets 1lav of being `turned on their pivots 9 so that they lie parallel with the sides of the frame and when yieldingly held by the action of spring 12 on the posts 8 at right angles to the sides of the frame the freedom of the posts to turn and yield when the lingers strike an obstruction makes provision for permitting the apparatus to pass over stumps, rocks or obstructions which might interfere with or injure the shaker fingers should they come in contact with such fixed objects. To facilitate the ready attachment of the springs 12 to' the brackets 1l or their detachment therefrom, each bracket has an open ended slot 37 in its outer end and each spring carries a screw 38 at its free end adapted to l enter the slot and be held in place and adjusted by a thumb nut 39.

As a means for arresting or collecting the insects, each side of the frame has brackets 16 to which we hinge brackets 17 that carry trays 18, and the outer edges of the trays in turn have aprons 19 hinged to them so that the said aprons are free to swing upwardly at an angle with vrelation to the trays, and the tray and apron may be swung to an approximately vertical position to permit a clearance between the sides of the frame when obstructions are encountered. The trays are supported at different positions of adjustment by chains 20 and the links of the chain may be utilized to effect this adjustment by reason of the fact that the links thereof may be moved with relation to the hooks or staples 21 projecting from the upper surface of each upright 1. The chains pass around guide pulleys 22 journaled on each upright 1.

Ve have found in practice that when the upper surfaces of the traysA and aprons are coated with tar, it constitutes an eiective tanglefoot which will prevent the escape of insectssand furthermore thatv rwhen the d'e- -apron at. the end thereof and prevent it swinging upwardly beyond a certainV point and chains ll0 are fastened to both trav and apron so as to hold the aprons at a rising inclination so that when they come in contact with plants in the line of the drill or out of same the aprons will yield upwardly without doing harm to the plants thus engaged.

The lower shaker lingers are each providedv with a hinge joint 23 which only permits them to rise or moveA upward or downward so as to allow the aprons and trays to adjust themselves to the plants and other obstacles while the apparatus is in operation. Each hinge comprises a stop lug 2d which prevents the linger swinging below a horizontal position but leaves it free to swing upwardly;

In order to prevent the ngers from swinging too far to the jfront and thus having a chance to iail the plants, thereby inflicting damage onthe branches of the same,

we mount on each linger post 8 a stop rod 25 having its upper ends made fast to the post and its body portion bent forward and passed downwardly in a vertical line in front of the springs 14 so as to stop the-for-V ward swing of the latter beyond a plane at right angles to the line of draft. Each top bar 3V carries a depending stop 3a which will engage a side of the adjacent post 8 and positively arrest it in position with its shaker fingers at right angles to the frame sides. These rods and the springs 12 and the stops 3a hold thev fingers in proper position to vengage the plants. Y

The pivots 9 are preferably formedfby plates 9J attached at the center of the Vrear face of the posts Swhen in operating position.

A guide plate 26 is mounted on theA rear cross bai` 5 and a bracket 27 is mounted centrally on top of the forward cross'bar 5, A A, Y

tongue 2S is pivoted between the bracket 27 andthe forward cross bar and has pivotally connected to its rear end a metal Abar 29 which worksV back and forth under the guide 26 and holds down the rear -end of the of which is mounted to turn in suitable bearings 83 on the outside of each forward upright 1. are out-turned and form journal bearings These rods 32 at their lower endsA for the Vforward steeringrwheels 31. The

vrear wheels 35i-lare mountetion rigid brackets 130 at the rear of the frame. The relation of parts is such that the lateral movements of the tongue will rock the bar 30 so as to steer the forward wheels 34 and guide the apparatus with ease and convenience. It desired a handle 36 may be attached to the rear of the frame so that the machine can be lifted by hand and turned directly around and ilac'ed on or over the next row of plants to be treated.

In operation, having adjusted the trays to the proper height the apparatus is moved along a row of plants with the stalks passing between the aprons 19 and the shaker iingers engaging and agitating the plants. The springs l2 and 14 both afford great iiexibility to the lingers and cause them to eiiiectually dislodge the insects without injuring the plants. As the aprons and trays rise and i'all responsive to irregularities in the ground, the lower fingers will give way before them, due to the action of the hinge 23.

The further operation and advantages oit' our invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art and our invention may be obviously modified in its details of construction without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what Awe claim as new and desire t0 secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an insect catcher, a frame adapted to be moved with relation to plants, posts rotatably mounted in the frame, springs secured to the posts and extending approxiymately at right angles thereto, shaker fingers carried by the said springs, means for holding the posts with the shaker lingers in position to engage the plants, and means for removing insects dislodged by the shaker' lingers. i

2. In an insect catcher, a iframe adapted to be moved with relation t0 plants, posts rotatably mounted in the frame, springs secured to the posts and extending approximately at right angles thereto, shaker lingers carried by the said springs, means for holding the posts with the shaker finers in oaeratinr osition means for re-V moving insects dislodged by the shaker iingers, said means consisting of trays, means tor pivotally connecting the trays to the frame, and aprons adjustably connected to the said trays.

3. In an insect catcher, a frame adapted to be moved with relation to plants, posts rotatably mounted in the frame, springs secured to the posts and extending approxil mately at right angles thereto, shaker lingers carried by the said springs, yielding means for holding the posts with the shaker fingers in position to engage the plants, means for removing insects dislodged bv the shaker ngers, said means consisting of trays, means for pivotally connecting the trays to the frame, kaprons pivotally connected to the trays, and means for adjusting the aprons with relation to the trays.

4t. In an insect catcher, a frame adapted to be moved with relation to plants, posts ro tatably mounted in the frame and substan tially vertically disposed, springs secured to the posts and extending approximately at right angles thereto, shaker fingers car.-V ried by the said springs, yielding means for holding the posts in predetermined operating position, means for removing insects dislodged by the shaker ngers, said means consisting of trays, means for pivotally connecting the trays to each side oi the frame, aprons pivotally connected to the adjacent edges of the trays and adapted to yield up wardly, and means for holding the trays in the desired position of adjustment about their pivotal centers.

5. In an insect catcher, a. frame adapted to travel over a row of plants, a post rotatably mounted in the frame, fiat springs projecting laterally from the post, shaker tingers connected to the springs, spring means to yieldingly hold the post with the fingers substantially at right angles to the row of plants, and stop means on the frame to limit the forward movements of the posts responsive to said springs means.

6. In an insect destroyer, a frame comprising an upright member, shaker fingers carried by said member and normally disposed to engage the plants, a tray hingedly connected to the trame below the fingers and adapted to fold upwardly, one or more of the lower ingers having joints therein to permit them to swing upwardly, and stop means to limit the downward swing of the 105 ngers about said joints.

7. In an insect destroyer, a frame-work comprising on each side a rigid upright member, a second upright member adjacent to the rigid member and pivotally mounted, 110 fiat springs attached to each pivoted member, shaker fingers carried by the springs, stop means carried by each rigid upright member which are adapted to engage and stop the forward movements of the shaker 115 ngers beyond the position at a predetermined angle to the row of plants operated on, and a spring connection between each rigid and the adjacent pivoted post to yieldingly hold the latter in position with its 120 fingers against said stops, substantially as described.

8. In an insect catcher, a wheel supporting frame, finger supports movable about substantially vertical axes in the frame, 125 spring means to press said supports toward their operating position, shaker lingers, springs connecting said shaker fingers to said supports, and stop means on the frame adapted to engage the free ends of said 130 springs to prevent the ngers swinging 'hoi-i Copies of this patent may be obtained for free edge, and meansl to limit the movement of said extensions about their hinged con-y nections to the tray, substantiallyas de-YK scribed. Y' Y In testimony whereof We affix our signatures.

LUTHER PATTON. HENRY B. WALLACE-.1

Witness NOMIE WELSH.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents..

Washington, D. C. 

